iPad Pro 2018 iPad Pro

[brig2221]

I bought a 2018 11" iPad Pro about 6 months post release when there was a killer sale at Best Buy, something like $150 off. I've had it ever since and have never had a single complaint about it and probably use it more often than my MBA.

I recently came across a similar sale on the most recent M1 11" iPad Pro and picked one up with the intention of trading in my 2018 IPP. After using the newest M1 iPad Pro, I literally could not tell any difference between the two. Yes, I know the M1 IPP has the awesome M1 chip and double the RAM, but I still could not tell a difference AT ALL.

Needless to say, the M1 IPP was returned, and I'm back rolling with the 2018 version. I'm sure there are some work flows and applications where you could in fact see the difference, but even then I can't imagine it would be that big of a difference.

I don't know that I have a major point to make in this post other than to say the original 2018 iPad Pro was a way ahead of it's time, so far ahead in fact that I can see no reason to upgrade two generations later. Sometimes there is just the perfect time to buy where you get a model that punches above it's weight for quite awhile, and I think I got that with the 2018 iPad Pro.

 

[Isengardtom]

it’s true for the 11”. The 12.9” improved screen is nice though

 

[Sensamic]

You didn’t notice a difference now, but maybe you would have in two years, although by then you could upgrade again to something even better.

 

[rui no onna]

I don't know that I have a major point to make in this post other than to say the original 2018 iPad Pro was a way ahead of it's time, so far ahead in fact that I can see no reason to upgrade two generations later. Sometimes there is just the perfect time to buy where you get a model that punches above it's weight for quite awhile, and I think I got that with the 2018 iPad Pro.

In fairness, the 2020 iPad Pro is more of a minor refresh to the 2018 rather than a proper generational upgrade.

 

[robertfrancis70]

To the original poster, thanks for putting this out there.

I had the 2018 11" iPP and traded it in for the mini 6 but have been wondering if that was wise. I like the mini, but would also like a bigger iPad for reading and was thinking about picking up a refurbished 2018 from Apple.

And I was curious about just this: would not having the M1 make much of a difference?

I suspected that it wouldn't make much, if any, but hearing you say 'it makes no difference' is helpful.

The 2018 iPP may have been Apple's best product since, what, the original iPhone? (But that's another thread...)

 

[brig2221]

To the original poster, thanks for putting this out there.

I had the 2018 11" iPP and traded it in for the mini 6 but have been wondering if that was wise. I like the mini, but would also like a bigger iPad for reading and was thinking about picking up a refurbished 2018 from Apple.

And I was curious about just this: would not having the M1 make much of a difference?

I suspected that it wouldn't make much, if any, but hearing you say 'it makes no difference' is helpful.

The 2018 iPP may have been Apple's best product since, what, the original iPhone? (But that's another thread...)

I actually bought a mini when it came out with the intention of replacing my 2018 iPad Pro. I figured I could get a similar user experience but found that I couldn't and immediately returned it. I'm glad I did it as it helped me discover that the 11" model is the perfect sized iPad for me.

As to the M1 iPad Pro, I could tell no difference at all. If you are using your iPad as a media consumption device, Internet, email, gaming, etc, anything short of trying to do video editing, there is no discernible difference whatsoever.

IMHO (like you), I believe Apple knocked it out of the park with the original iPad Pro. I'm getting a Magic Keyboard for Christmas, so I'm really looking forward to see how much better the user experience may be paired with great keyboard and trackpad.

 

[rui no onna]

And I was curious about just this: would not having the M1 make much of a difference?

Right now, not much.

A couple years down the line, I expect having just 4GB RAM would be a bigger issue than the chipset. Mind, I've personally been annoyed by reloads on 4GB+iOS 13+ at certain critical times. You'd probably start noticing a difference between chipset performance, too.

iPad Pro 11" 256GB Wi-Fi
$600 1st gen A12X, 4GB RAM, Apple Certified Refurb
$690 2nd gen A12Z, 6GB RAM, Apple Certified Refurb
$800 3rd gen M1, 8GB RAM, Amazon brand new

If I had a 2018 already, I wouldn't upgrade to the 2021 just yet.

If buying a new iPad altogether, then I'd rather just pony up the extra $100-200 now for 1.5-2x RAM and 1.5x single core/1.5x multi-core performance.

 

[svish]

All the iPad Pros from 2018 onwards are excellent devices and they can perform well for many years. Aside from the increased RAM in the newer models which may make reloading of browser tabs less frequent, the 2018 iPad Pros should be equally capable in other aspects for normal day to day use.

 

[1BadManVan]

2018+ iPad pros don’t really need to be updated as often as they were pretty overkill for power when released. That will ring true for the M1 a couple years down the line as newer models come out.

The M1 was enough to entice me to make the move from my 6th gen to a pro. But I doubt I would have bought it if I already had a 2018 pro.

 

[kshitijshah]

I bought a 2018 11" iPad Pro about 6 months post release when there was a killer sale at Best Buy, something like $150 off. I've had it ever since and have never had a single complaint about it and probably use it more often than my MBA.

I recently came across a similar sale on the most recent M1 11" iPad Pro and picked one up with the intention of trading in my 2018 IPP. After using the newest M1 iPad Pro, I literally could not tell any difference between the two. Yes, I know the M1 IPP has the awesome M1 chip and double the RAM, but I still could not tell a difference AT ALL.

Needless to say, the M1 IPP was returned, and I'm back rolling with the 2018 version. I'm sure there are some work flows and applications where you could in fact see the difference, but even then I can't imagine it would be that big of a difference.

I don't know that I have a major point to make in this post other than to say the original 2018 iPad Pro was a way ahead of it's time, so far ahead in fact that I can see no reason to upgrade two generations later. Sometimes there is just the perfect time to buy where you get a model that punches above it's weight for quite awhile, and I think I got that with the 2018 iPad Pro.

Thanks. Even I was contemplating upgrading. You saved me from a lot of hassle

 

[wilberforce]

it’s true for the 11”. The 12.9” improved screen is nice though

I agree, the only thing that will make me upgrade is a miniLED 11".
Dark movie scenes on the current 11" are not great.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Right now, not much.

A couple years down the line, I expect having just 4GB RAM would be a bigger issue than the chipset. Mind, I've personally been annoyed by reloads on 4GB+iOS 13+ at certain critical times. You'd probably start noticing a difference between chipset performance, too.

iPad Pro 11" 256GB Wi-Fi
$600 1st gen A12X, 4GB RAM, Apple Certified Refurb
$690 2nd gen A12Z, 6GB RAM, Apple Certified Refurb
$800 3rd gen M1, 8GB RAM, Amazon brand new

If I had a 2018 already, I wouldn't upgrade to the 2021 just yet.

If buying a new iPad altogether, then I'd rather just pony up the extra $100-200 now for 1.5-2x RAM and 1.5x single core/1.5x multi-core performance.

Those are some sweet-jesus prices to be honest. Amazon.ca has over $1500 for the M1. So pricing relative to the person shopping in their location/region will vary and have a more significant effect on decision where pricing is concerned; new used or existing variables aside.

 

[BigMcGuire]

As a heavy user of the 2018 iPP 11 and now an owner of an M1 iPad Pro 11 - for me, the initial difference in CPU speed was minimal - only noticeable when doing very intensive tasks (like importing 57,000 photos/videos) - it's night and day difference there. The ram is also very noticeable. I can keep massive Notability documents up, PDFs, Safari up with dozens of tabs, and various other apps - and never see a refresh. (I have the 256GB M1 iPP 11 so only 8GB of ram but I was getting some refreshes on my 2018 iPP 11).

I also see a difference when using my M1 iPP 11' with a 4k external monitor - I can actually use this thing with a massive USB C dock that has keyboard/mice/external drives/etc - acts much more like a computer for me. Yesterday, I spent hours on my iPP 11' hooked up to my 4k monitor this way - while air playing music to my HomePod mini - no lag, no refreshes, instant everything.

I imagine that MOST people won't see a difference. But there's definitely a difference. That said, if you don't use the differences, the iPP 2018 is a sweet sweet iPad. My wife still uses hers daily for her PhD and refuses an upgrade.

We are HUGE fans of the 11' iPad Pros.